Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo reckons reckons it's a shame that there are no longer qualifying tyres in MotoGP as he was always strong on them for a one-lap dash.

The Spaniard, who set pole position at Qatar last year, has had to adapt his riding style to the new Bridgestone spec-tyres but says it is the same for everyone so he will just have to get on with it.

“Pre-season has been hard work, but finally I understood how to be fast with the new Bridgestone tyres and the last day in Qatar and the test in Jerez have left me feeling confident and hopeful for a good start to the season," said Lorenzo.

"The tyres are very different and I have had to adapt my riding style, but step-by-step we have become accustomed to them. For qualifying it’s a bit of a pity because I was a rider that was always strong on qualifying tyres, but it’s the same for everyone so we will get used to it.

"I feel much more experienced than this time last year and much stronger as well, even if I was on pole for this race last year! My target for the season is to improve on my fourth position of last year; I want to make sure I improve year by year. The championship is too big to think about yet, for now I am just concentrating on Qatar.”